JP2010507411A - Tea maker - Google Patents

Abstract

The tea maker comprises a container in which the conveyor is located. The conveyor transports the carriage, preferably vertically. The conveyor and carriage are surrounded by tubes and protected from water in the container. The enclosed strainer is coupled to the carriage. The external user interface allows the user to select brewing parameters such as the type of beverage to be brewed, the brewing temperature, and the extraction time. The selection is sent to the processor. The processor then encodes the selections into the heating assembly or conveyor control data.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for making tea in a kitchen appliance, more specifically.

  Making tea usually requires a container for boiling or heating the water and a separate container for extracting the tea in it. Tea brewed at an inappropriate temperature or at an inappropriate extraction time can adversely affect the flavor. The water can be heated to a series of different temperatures in the same container, tea is automatically introduced at the appropriate time or temperature, extracted for a set time, and then tea leaves are automatically removed from the water There are no known automatic or household tea machines.

  One object of the present invention is to provide an appliance that can be used to heat water in the same container and to brew tea for an extraction time determined by the user.

  Another object of the present invention is to make it easy for users to brew various types of tea to their liking.

  Accordingly, a tea maker is provided that includes a container, a vertical conveyor located within the container, and a basket positioned within and supported by the conveyor.

  There is also provided a tea maker comprising a container further comprising a transparent compartment and a metal compartment. The container also includes a strainer having a series of vertical positions located within the container.

  In order that the present invention may be more fully understood, reference will now be made to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional view of a tea maker, FIG. 1A is a sectional view of a tube and a carriage, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view of another embodiment of the tube and the carriage. It is sectional drawing of a tea maker when a strainer exists in a low position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a tea maker with a switch mechanism, with the container and power base separated from each other. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tea maker shown in FIG. 3 with the container and the power base fixed to each other. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tea maker shown in FIG. 4 with a switch activated. FIG. 6 is a perspective view cut to show one embodiment that can be operated in various orientations. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment with a reversible motor in the lower container portion. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment in which a mechanical button on a container handle is mechanically coupled to a switch in the lower container portion. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment with an all-electronic switching and control unit. It is a perspective view of a tea strainer. 2 is a graph showing time versus temperature curves for various types of tea. It is a graph which shows the tea strainer position with time about various types of tea. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a tea maker, wherein the vertical conveyor system comprises a belt. It is sectional drawing of a holder | retainer. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a tea maker, wherein the vertical conveyor system comprises a chain loop. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a tea maker where the vertical conveyor system is located outside the liquid compartment of the container.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a tea maker 100 includes a lidded container 101 that is separable from a power base 102. In order to brew tea, a perforated (for example, mesh-shaped) strainer or enclosure 103 with a lid containing tea leaves is placed on a conveyor in the container 101. The height of the container is sufficient to accommodate the height of the strainer above the maximum liquid level, even if the lid is closed.

(Container and power base)
The container 101 includes a main body 104 and a handle 105. The main body 104 has a top opening 106 that forms a spout 107 on the opposite side of the handle 105. The opening 106 can be covered by a hinged or removable lid 108. The interior of the main body 104 is divided into a liquid compartment 110 and a lower compartment 111 by a watertight partition 109. The liquid compartment 110 extends from the opening 106 to the partition 109 and may be made of glass or another transparent material, whereas the lower compartment 111 extends from the partition 109 to the container bottom 112. The lower compartment 111 houses a heating element and a machine or electronic control unit.

  The central depression 113 is located on the back surface of the main body, so that the container 101 is in electrical contact with the power base 102 and can rest on it. A five-pole contact system allows the spout and data or control signals to be transmitted between the bases of the containers. A heating assembly (ie, a heating element and its controller), and a required temperature or vapor sensing assembly 114 may be located in the lower compartment 111. The power base has a raised hub 115 with suitable electrical contacts that is received by a central recess 113. There is an external user control 116 on the outside of the power base. These control units are connected to a processor 135 in the base unit. The controller 116 can be used to delay or adjust the start of the brewing process, switch on the unit, and enter the brewing temperature, brewing time, or tea type. The processor 135 can automatically select an appropriate brewing time from its own memory, for example, based on the tea type input by the user. The processor 135 determines factors such as brewing temperature, brewing time, strainer position, and other relevant parameters in the tea supply. The external user control 116 is one or more mechanical or electronic devices such as knobs, dials, or keypads for the user to enter variables such as tea type, strength, water temperature, and brewing time. It may be a mechanical mechanism. The user-operated control may be mounted on the power base or on the kettle container as described below. Electrical communication between the container and the power base occurs through the cooperation of electrical contacts located on the raised hub 115 and electrical contacts located in the depression 113, as is known in the art. When mechanical on / off switching is used, a mechanically coupled user-operated mechanical button is located on the power base (see FIG. 3) or, for example, on the handle of the container (see FIG. 8). ) Or any location on the container.

  In one alternative embodiment, a current sensor 220 in the power supply base (shown in FIG. 2) detects when current is flowing to a heating element in the kettle and when that current is stopped. Sense it. Sensor 220 provides its output to processor 135. When the current is stopped (because the water is hot enough), the processor 135 activates the motor and sinks the tea strainer into the water via the vertical conveyor. After the specified leaching time, the mechanism then lifts the tea from the water. A sound may then be generated or triggered by the processor to notify the user that the tea process is complete.

(Stainer)
The strainer 103 comprises a perforated or liquid permeable, eg mesh-like body 117, closed by an upper lid 118. The mesh is fine enough to accommodate tea leaves while leaching. The mesh may be an expanded mesh. Preferably, the entire strainer is made of stainless steel. Tea bags can also be placed in strainers. The bracket 134 fixed to the mesh-shaped main body 117 has a first set of lift magnets 133. Note that magnets 1002 and 1003 are vertically aligned and placed on the same vertical plane by boss 1004, as seen in FIG. As described below, the magnet 133 cooperates with a vertical conveyor system 119 that holds the strainer in the liquid compartment and moves it up and down. The bracket may also include (or only) means for mechanically coupling to the vertical conveyor.

  As can be seen in FIG. 10, the strainer 103 may have a spring-biased lid 1001. The lid is biased to the closed position so that tea leaves do not come out of the strainer during leaching. The lid may be rim sealed to the strainer. Boss 1004 has magnets 1002 and 1003. The lid spring may be hidden within the boss 1004.

(Vertical conveyor system)
The vertical conveyor system 119 is preferably arranged in an eccentric position so that the strainer can be located approximately in the center of the container.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the vertical conveyor system 119 includes a motor 120 in the power supply base. The motor drives the lower rotary disk 121. The disk 121 has a first set of base magnets 122 directly below and hidden behind the top surface 123 of the power base. The upper rotary disk 124 is located in the lower compartment 111. The second set of base magnets is located directly above the bottom of the container and hidden behind it. The upper rotary disk 124 houses a second set of base magnets 125. The upper and lower rotary disks are magnetically coupled to each other when they are brought close to each other vertically.

  A vertical shaft 126 with a helical thread 127 serves as a conveyor and is firmly fixed to the upper rotary disk 124. The shaft 126 extends from the upper rotary disk in the lower compartment, through the partition, into the area of the liquid compartment and spans most of the height of the liquid compartment. A tube 128 surrounds the shaft 126 so that liquid does not interfere with the operation of the vertical conveyor system 119.

  In some embodiments, the shaft 126 moves a carriage 129 with cooperating female threads 130. The strainer 103 can be magnetically fixed to the carriage and can be moved to a series of vertical positions. To obtain this coupling, the carriage has a first set of lift magnets 131. The first set of lift magnets 133 and the second set of lift magnets 131 are coupled to each other when the strainer and the carriage are fixed.

  In order for the strainer to move vertically as the screw rotates, the carriage must not rotate with the screw. As shown in FIG. 1A, a portion of the tubular carriage 129 forms a key 137 that is received by a keyway 138 inside the tube. Since the rotation of the key 137 is prevented by the side surface 139 of the keyway 138, the carriage cannot rotate with respect to the tube 128. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the tube and carriage may be shaped, for example, as an ellipse so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. In order to improve the extraction of tea and especially tea bags, the strainer may be moved up and down with a quick stroke ("reciprocating stroke") that promotes leaching to help circulate the liquid through the tea leaves. . The stroke may be, for example, less than half of the total travel distance of the strainer or carriage on the conveyor. Therefore, the stroke amplitude is smaller than the total range of motion of the conveyor.

  In a preferred embodiment, the carriage comprises the magnets described above and moves inside the tube by a conveyor. The strainer also has a magnet that couples with the magnet of the carriage. The magnet is preferably coupled via a stainless steel tube. This coupling allows the strainer to be moved along the carriage without requiring any additional interlocking device extending from the inside of the tube to the outside. Thus, the tube can have a closed, preferably stainless steel top 208.

  In some embodiments, the vertical conveyor system does not incorporate a vertical shaft. Figures 13-15 show two embodiments. Referring to FIG. 13, the reversible motor 1301 drives a gear 1302 that is a lower gear, sheave, or alternatively, rotating in a vertical plane. Both the motor 1301 and the gear 1302 are located in the lower compartment 1303. The gear 1302 is located just below a sleeve or tube 1304 that extends approximately the entire height of the liquid compartment 1305. The upper gear, sheave, or alternatively, the gear 1306 rotates in a vertical plane and is positioned within the tube or sleeve 1304 near the top 1307 of the tube or sleeve 1304. The top 1307 may be closed and sealed. Belt 1308 rests around both top gear 1306 and bottom gear 1302. Preferably, belt 1308 has internal teeth that cooperate with gears 1302 and 1306. Accordingly, the belt 1308 moves vertically within the sleeve 1304 due to the rotation of the motor 1301.

  The drive magnet (or tube magnet) 1309 is fixed to the belt 1308 by a bracket 1317, for example. The drive magnet 1309 moves with the belt 1308. A retainer or driven magnet 1310 located outside the tube 1304 and within the liquid compartment 1305 is coupled to the sleeve magnet 1309 via the tube 1304. The driven magnet 1310 is supported by the cage 1311. As shown in FIG. 14, the cage 1311 includes a vertical jacket 1312 that supports the cage magnet 1310. Jackets and magnets may also be provided around tube 1304 or on either side. The jacket 1312 is firmly fixed to the holding collar 1313. In this embodiment, the retaining collar 1313 is a loop large enough to accommodate the strainer 1314. The collar 1313 has an inner top shoulder 1315 on which the top rim 1316 (see FIGS. 13 and 15) of the strainer 1314 can rest. Accordingly, the strainer 1314 is supported by the holder 1311 and can move together with the belt 1308 when the reversible motor 1301 rotates. It should be noted that in other embodiments, another retention mechanism may be provided and the retainer may not be a loop as shown. For example, a combination of toothpastes may be provided to secure the strainer to the cage. In another embodiment, the retainer may be a hook or clasp on which the strainer is secured.

  As shown in FIG. 15, another embodiment provides the above-described configuration, except that a chain loop 1501 is used instead of a belt. Chain 1501 cooperates with the teeth of top gear 1306 and bottom gear 1302. Chain 1501 moves sleeve magnet 1309 in the manner described above, thereby moving cage 1311 in the manner described above.

  Still referring to FIG. 15, the strainer may be attached to a pull ring that facilitates removal of the strainer 1314 from the retainer 1311. In this embodiment, the pull ring is a hollow structure comprising a ring 1502 and a shaft 1503 below the ring 1502. Ring 1502 and shaft 1503 are preferably integrally formed. The shaft 1503 extends to the floor 1504 of the strainer 1314. The lower portion 1505 of the shaft 1503 may be disk-shaped. The underside of the base has a skirt 1506 that is located in the center of the strainer floor 1504 and can be fitted to a raised flange 1507 formed therefrom. The positioning member 1508 is centrally located below the strainer floor 1504 and extends upwardly through the floor 1504. The positioning member 1508 helps the position of the shaft 1503 to try to fit into it. The positioning member 1508 is received within the cavity 1509 of the shaft 1503 when the shaft is properly fitted over the floor 1503.

  More preferably, the strainer lid 1510 comprises a central detent 1511 that houses the ring 1502. The central detent 1511 may be hemispherical and is preferably large enough to provide play for at least one of the diameters of the ring 1502 (finger size). This central detent or play 1511 allows a ring to be placed at least partially under the upper lever of the lid 1510 of the strainer. This reduces the additional container height that may be required to accommodate the ring 1502.

  In some embodiments, the vertical transport system may be provided outside the container. Referring to FIG. 16, the handle 1601 additionally has a vertical compartment 1602 located beside the container 1603. The vertical compartment 1602 may be in communication with the lower compartment of the container. Magnet 1604 is supported by carriage 1605. The carriage 1605 is moved by a vertical transport system located in the vertical compartment. Another magnet 1606 is supported by a second carriage 1607 in the container 1603. Magnets 1604 and 1606 are coupled together to allow a vertical conveyor system in the hollow section of the handle to move the strainer within the container 1603.

  It should further be noted that the vertical conveyor system can be controlled by devices other than motors. For example, the drive magnet may be moved by a hydraulic or pneumatic assembly.

(Steam passage system)
As shown in FIG. 2, an optional vapor passage 201 is located in the open tube 205. The steam path is necessary in embodiments where steam detection occurs in the lower compartment. The passage thus leads from the liquid compartment 203 to the lower compartment 204. The steam travels down the tube 205 and enters the steam passage 201 and reaches the lower compartment 204. Steam or temperature sensing element 209 detects when steam exits passage 201. The steam passage may be used to accommodate a conveyor.

(Switching mechanism)
The power base provides power to the container's heating element only when the container is on the power base so that the container can be cordless. In the preferred embodiment, electrical switching of the heating element is prevented until the container is placed on the power base. This prevents arcing between the electrical contacts of the container and the power base. The electrical switching components are preferably located in the power supply base, but the externally mounted user interface for those switching components may be mechanical or electrical.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heating element 301 in the lower part 303 is controlled by a switching controller 302 that is also located in the lower part 303. The switching controller 302 is activated by a mechanical interlock in the power base and can be remotely operated, for example, by a push button 304 located on the top surface 305 of the power base 309.

  The switching controller 302 is activated by a reset power-on lever 307 in the lower compartment or container portion 303. The reset power on lever 307 extends from an eccentric position 303 to a position above the actuator pin 308, shown in this embodiment as near the center of the lower portion 303. Actuator pin 308 is received by cooperating tunnel 311 in raised hub 310.

  Actuator pin 308 is vertically registered with stub pin 312. The stub pin 312 forms the first end 313 of the remote switch lever 314. The remote switch lever 314 is located adjacent to the top surface 305 of the power base. The second end 315 of the remote switch lever 314 is below the button 304.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration described in the previous paragraph when the container 401 and the power base 402 are assembled. Note that there is a pivot 403 that passes through the middle portion 404 of the remote switch lever 405.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when the button 502 is depressed, it causes the remote switch lever 503 to move about the pivot 501. As a result, the stub pin 504 moves vertically upward, and as a result, the lever actuator pin 505 also moves vertically upward. When the lever actuator pin 505 is pushed up, the reset power-on lever 506 turns around the shaft body 507 to activate the switching controller 508 of the heating element 509. In this chain of operations, the motor 510 may be additionally operated to rotate, and the strainer 511 may be moved.

  FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which a mechanical on / off switch 80 is located in the handle 81 of the container. The mechanical interlocking device 82 connects the switch 80 to the push rod 83 penetrating the steam tube 84 downward, and activates the control unit 85 located in the lower compartment 111. This embodiment also shows that the kettle can be placed on the power base in two positions. The two electromagnetic couplings 86 and 87 in the base are driven by a single belt 88 from a drive cog on a motor 89. FIGS. 8 and 9 also show the joining of the glass liquid compartment 180 to the metal lower compartment 181. The glass compartment has a neck 187 of reduced diameter that is open at each end and heated in a groove 183 formed by the metal lower compartment. The glass compartment 180 also features a spout 184 and optionally a mechanism for receiving a handle. The lid 185 may be transparent.

  An all-electronic controller is also provided in some preferred embodiments. As shown in FIG. 9, the power base may have a hub 90 with more than two electrical contacts. In this embodiment, five contacts are used. Three contacts are used for power (valid, neutral, ground) and two contacts are connected from the thermistor 91 in the container to the thermistor lead input 96 on the controller 92 located in the power supply base. Used to transmit electrical signals. The thermistor 91 is shown as being located in a metal tube 93 that houses a vertical conveyor. The tube may be located completely or partially within or adjacent to the interior 94 of the container. A thermistor 91 as shown can sense the water temperature inside the container and provide information to the controller. Note the user-activated electronic control unit 95 on the top surface of the power base.

(360 ° embodiment)
The magnetically coupled conveyor system described above requires that the containers and power bases be assembled in a specific orientation such that the corresponding rotating disks (121 and 124) are aligned. There are other embodiments that utilize a similar conveyor mechanism but do not require the containers and power base to be aligned with respect to rotation.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the power base 601 includes a motor 606 in an eccentric position. The pinion gear 603 of the motor engages the base side ring gear 604. The motor pinion 603 drives the base side ring gear 604.

  In contrast, the lower container portion 607 houses the container side gear train 608. The container side gear train 608 begins with a centrally located container side ring gear 609 just above the base side ring gear 604. Mutually attracting magnets 615 and 616, spaced around the outer circumference 618 of the base ring gear and the outer circumference 617 of the container side ring gear, couple the two gears together. The container side ring gear drives a transmission device 610 connected to the lift screw gear 611. The screw 612 is fixed to the center 613 of the lift screw gear 611 and rotates as the lift screw gear 611 rotates.

  FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment in which the switch mechanism is retained, but the reversible motor and optional gearbox 701 are located in the lower portion 702. In this type of embodiment, there is no electromagnetic coupling as described above between the container 709 and the power base 703. In this embodiment, the conveyor shaft 704 is mounted directly on the motor shaft 705 of the reversible motor 701 and gearbox, for example.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 further includes a separate open steam duct 706 that is independent of the tube 707. Thus, the interior of the tube 707 can be protected by the closed top 708. The escaped vapor travels along the vapor duct 706 through the partition 711 between the liquid compartment 712 and the lower compartment 702 and may also be directed to a vapor or temperature sensor 713 that cooperates with the heating element controller 714. Good.

  The heating element controller 714 may be a single body integrated with an arbitrary variable temperature sensor 715, for example. This temperature sensor may be, for example, a bimetal overload or air-opening sensor. Controllers of this type are available from manufacturers such as OTTER (OTTER A14) and STRIX (STRIX U19). The heating element controller 714 may sense a temperature below the boiling point of the liquid and switch the heating element 716 so that the user may brew the beverage at the sub-boiling temperature. It may be programmed to cut. Both OTTER and STRIX controllers provide an optional mechanical user interface that protrudes from the side of the lower container portion for temperature adjustment by the user.

(Embodiment of electronic control type)
FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment in which the temperature of the water is monitored electronically by a thermistor. The thermistor may be located directly below the heating plate or submerged in water. In this type of embodiment, a steam tube is not required.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the tube 93 for the vertical conveyor can have a closed top 98. A display and interface 95 are attached to the base so that the user can select the water temperature and brewing ("extraction") time for the type of tea used. A processor in the base calculates the recommended temperature and extraction time for the selected tea based on user input. The recommended temperature (ie water temperature for extraction) varies depending on the type of tea to be extracted and may be a boiling or sub-boiling temperature. Thus, the processor controls the vertical conveyor and heating element accordingly.

(Tea)
As shown in FIG. 11, an automatic tea maker of the type disclosed above may be used to brew various types of tea, each according to an optimal temperature and time profile. As shown in the drawing, tea is extracted within a temperature range of about 70-95C. Activation of an electronic or mechanical user-operated button sends power to the container heating element. The water temperature in the container rises to the proper leach temperature before the strainer descends into the water. A bimetal or thermistor thermal sensor (as described above) communicates with the processor 135 to ensure that the tea is maintained for an appropriate time, such as at the appropriate extraction temperatures 1101 and 1102, respectively. As shown by FIG. 11, black tea may be extracted for about 2.5 minutes while tea bags may be extracted for more than 5.5 minutes. As shown in this graph, green and white tea leaches at a lower temperature than other teas and for a shorter time, for example, in the case of green tea.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the processor can control the movement of the strainer at the start of the brewing cycle by controlling the vertical conveyor to lower the tea strainer down into the hot water . The processor can also control the movement of the tea strainer by causing the vertical conveyor to lift the strainer from the hot water at the end of the brewing cycle. As shown in FIG. 12, the controller can also vibrate or reciprocate the tea strainer during the brewing time so that the tea leaves are agitated and better circulated within the tea strainer. As shown by FIG. 12, the tea already contained in the bag remains in the strainer but remains out of the water for about 2 minutes while heating the water (1200). Next, it is lowered into hot water by a screw conveyor (1201), while being submerged for a certain period of time (1202). The strainer is then partially lifted (1203) and subsequently lowered (1204). This cycle of raising and lowering the strainer is repeated three times in this embodiment. The processor may be preprogrammed to control the movement of the tea strainer according to the type of tea leaf contained therein.

  Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to specific details of construction, it is to be understood that they are provided by way of example and do not limit the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims (19)

A container,
A vertical conveyor associated with the container;
A tea maker comprising: a strainer located in the container and moved by being supported by the conveyor.   2. The tea maker according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor is a vertical shaft that supports screw screws.   3. A tea maker according to claim 2, further comprising a tube surrounding the vertical shaft within the container, the tube adapted to prevent the strainer from rotating about the vertical shaft. .   4. The tea maker according to claim 1, wherein the strainer is removable from the conveyor.   5. The tea maker according to claim 1, wherein the strainer is an enclosure having a lid.   6. A tea maker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the carriage and the strainer are adapted to move up and down in a reciprocating stroke that promotes leaching.   7. A tea maker according to claim 6, wherein the stroke amplitude that promotes leaching is less than the full range of vertical motion of the strainer.   8. The tea maker according to claim 1, wherein a motor is located in the container.   8. A tea maker according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein a motor is located in the base and the base is adapted to transmit power to the container.   10. The container of claim 8 or 9, wherein the container is divided into a liquid compartment and a lower compartment, the motor and heating assembly are located in the lower compartment, and the conveyor extends from the lower compartment to the liquid compartment. Tea maker.   The tea maker according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a transparent liquid compartment.   12. A tea maker according to any of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a user interface located on the exterior of the tea maker, wherein the user interface is adapted to send commands to a processor.   13. A tea maker according to claim 12, wherein the command is communicated using a 5-pole connector between the container and the base.   14. A tea maker according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a heating assembly having a temperature sensor that transmits data to the processor, wherein the processor can control the heating element to provide a series of water temperatures.   15. A tea maker according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the user interface includes a brew time selection.   16. A tea maker according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the movement of the strainer is coupled to the movement of a carriage and the carriage is moved by the conveyor. A tea maker comprising: a container further comprising a transparent compartment and a metal compartment; a strainer located in the container; and a conveyor located in the container and moving the strainer,
A tea maker wherein the strainer has a series of vertical positions.   18. A tea maker according to claim 17, wherein the conveyor is a vertical shaft.   The tea maker according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the container has a lid, and the height of the container is high enough to accommodate the strainer when the lid is closed.

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